New Year, New You: 3 Resolutions to Reach Your Career Goals

Every January, the New Year brings fresh starts and objectives. Whether it's braving the gym again or reaching a savings goal, another year on the books often marks a time to revisit, reorient, or even reinvent what's possible.

For many people, career-relevant resolutions make it to the top of the list, with hopes of securing a more successful, fitting, or financially sound future. To ensure you're positioned for success in 2023, explore the top resolutions you can make toward your career development and advancement with the Tulane School of Professional Advancement (Tulane SoPA).

1. Make a 5-year Plan

Wherever you are in your career trajectory, making a plan for the next few years helps you take actionable steps that transform your dream for the future into a reality.

In one sentence, write down where you see yourself in five years. Do you envision yourself stepping into a CEO role at a large-scale company? Upholding justice in the courtroom as a practicing attorney or paralegal? Strapping up your emergency management boots to rebuild your community after a Category 5 hurricane?

Whether your calling is business or damage control, no plan is complete without an actionable, attainable path to reach the finish line. Just like you'd prioritize the "how" behind the "what" in an emergency response plan, you need to establish a clear way to achieve your five-year career hopes. A disaster-stricken city takes time, thought, and strategy to rebuild — your five-year plan is no different.

Once you've identified where you'd like to be in five years, you need to create checkpoints along the way that track how well you're pacing. Make a list of both short and long-term goals that align with your career development and advancement, and then determine a means of accomplishing them.

The more meticulous your goals, the more measurable your success will be. But make sure to be realistic when creating your career plan, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Academic mentors, faculty, and even your fellow peers can help provide invaluable career advice, resources, and important connections to people in your field.

2. Finish Your Degree

According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse, more than 39 million Americans have some college but no credentials. If you're in that number of people with an incomplete degree, going back to school can help you not only broaden your skill set but also channel new five-year possibilities.

On average, people with degrees see 57 percent more job opportunities than non-degree holders. With a degree, you typically have more flexibility in where you can find work and also qualify for positions that require a certain level of education. On top of expanded career opportunities, finishing your degree also helps you:

• Increase your marketability
• Grow your earning potential
• Establish economic security, and
• Access networking and professional development opportunities

No matter if life got in the way or you just chose a program that wasn't your fit, there is no deadline for tapping back into your academic potential. Many institutions take credits from another university and offer resources to make the transfer process as seamless as possible. Be sure to research what you'll need in order to begin your transfer and connect with a guidance counselor for any questions you may have.

3. Start a Graduate Program

Climbing the corporate ladder to CEO status doesn't start without credentials that truly stand out.

Obtaining a graduate degree — whether in cybersecurity, sport studies, or beyond — is an arduous yet rewarding experience that shows you've done the extra work to secure your success. With a master's degree, you tack on additional credentials to your professional track record, helping distinguish you from other applicants eager to lead that next major startup.

Between the added professional qualifications and career advancement opportunities, a graduate degree's main draw is its pathway to higher pay. If you graduate with a master's degree, your earning potential increases by a staggering 20 percent on average.

Whether you're looking for career growth or change, enrolling in a graduate program doesn't have to mean putting your life on pause. In today's digital era, many graduate courses are offered online or held in the evenings to accommodate busier schedules.

To ensure a graduate degree will fit into your five-year plan, it's a good idea to explore your chosen program's requirements, course schedules, and time commitments ahead of time.

Helping You With Career Development and Advancement This New Year

With 2023 in full swing, it's time to make your career goals a reality with an institution dedicated to your future.

At Tulane SoPA, we help you take the next step in your career trajectory, whether you're a first-time, transfer, or graduate student. From engaging, real-world coursework to flexible online schedules, we provide opportunities that move the needle on your career — at a pace that works for you. All of our programs are taught by leaders in your industry so that you get the experience you need without stepping outside the classroom.

Request more information today to explore what you can make possible this new year.